After more than a century of drug policies aimed at eliminating drug use in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, through the criminalization of possession and consumption, there have been damaging effects on the health, human rights and security of users and the rest of the population, according to findings in a special issue of the International Journal of Drug Policy (IJDP) coordinated by the Global Commission on Drug Policy.

An open letter to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon signed by more than 1,000 people, including financier Warren Buffett, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and rock star Sting, says the war on drugs has failed and calls for a shift in global drug policy from emphasizing criminalization and punishment to health and human rights.

This coming March 1, the world will commemorate Zero Discrimination Day, an occasion that gives all of us a chance to celebrate diversity and come together to promote tolerance and inclusion.

This year for Zero Discrimination Day UNAIDS will be looking at discrimination in health care settings which is preventing large numbers of people from accessing essential health care services. In 2016 UNAIDS will be identifying factors that lead to discrimination and will aim to establish the necessary conditions and recommendations that need to happen to provide a conducive environment for everyone to receive the health services they need regardless of age, status, race, religion, profession or gender.